Mobile device including a flexible display device and method of operating the same

ABSTRACT

A mobile device includes a touch-screen having an external touch-screen region, an internal foldable touch-screen region, and a curved-surface touch-screen region that couples the external touch-screen region and the internal foldable touch-screen region, and a body to which the touch-screen is attached, wherein the device is configured to move at least one icon corresponding to at least one executing application program to the curved-surface touch-screen region in response to a folding angle of the internal foldable touch-screen region when a folding operation of the internal foldable touch-screen region is performed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims priority under 35 USC §119 to Korean PatentApplication No. 10-2013-0012003, filed on Feb. 1, 2013 in the KoreanIntellectual Property Office (KIPO) the contents of which areincorporated herein in the entirety by reference. This application is acontinuation reissue of application Ser. No. 16/375,802, filed on Apr.4, 2019, which is an application for reissue of U.S. Pat. No. 9,612,621B2, issued Apr. 4, 2017, and filed as U.S. application Ser. No.14/165,393 on Jan. 27, 2014, which claims priority to, and the benefitof, Korean Application Serial No. 10-2013-0012003, filed in the KoreanIntellectual Property Office on Feb. 1, 2013, the entire contents ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Example embodiments relate generally to an electronic device.

2. Description of the Related Art

Recently, as studies on flexible display devices are actively performed,a flexible touch-screen having a flexible display device and a touchsensor device has come into the spotlight in a manufacture field ofelectronic devices. When the flexible touch-screen is applied to anymobile device such as a smart-phone, a smart-pad, a laptop, etc., ashape of the mobile device can depart from conventional shapes of themobile device (e.g., rectangular, rectangular having rounded edges,rectangular having streamlined sides, etc.). Thus, the mobile devicehaving new shapes may provide various user interfaces to users.

SUMMARY

Some example embodiments provide a mobile device capable of providingvarious user interfaces to users based on a flexible touch-screen havingan external touch-screen region, an internal foldable touch-screenregion, and a curved-surface touch-screen region that is placed betweenthe external touch-screen region and the internal foldable touch-screenregion (i.e., the curved-surface touch-screen region couples theexternal touch-screen region and the internal foldable touch-screenregion).

Some example embodiments provide a method of operating a mobile devicecapable of providing various user interfaces to users based on aflexible touch-screen (e.g., of a mobile device) having an externaltouch-screen region, an internal foldable touch-screen region, and acurved-surface touch-screen region that is placed between the externaltouch-screen region and the internal foldable touch-screen region (i.e.,the curved-surface touch-screen region couples the external touch-screenregion and the internal foldable touch-screen region).

According to some example embodiments, a mobile device may include atouch-screen having an external touch-screen region, an internalfoldable touch-screen region, and a curved-surface touch-screen regionthat couples the external touch-screen region and the internal foldabletouch-screen region, and a body to which the touch-screen is attached,wherein the device is configured to move at least one icon correspondingto at least one executing application program to the curved-surfacetouch-screen region in response to a folding angle of the internalfoldable touch-screen region when a folding operation of the internalfoldable touch-screen region is performed.

The touch-screen may include a flexible touch-screen including aflexible display device and a touch sensor device.

The body may include a flexible material, wherein the body may beconfigured to support the folding operation of the internal foldabletouch-screen region.

The body may include a non-flexible material, wherein the body includesa hinge configured to support the folding operation of the internalfoldable touch-screen region.

The internal foldable touch-screen region may include a first internaltouch-screen region and a second internal touch-screen region, whereinthe first internal touch-screen region and the second internaltouch-screen region may be physically coupled.

The internal foldable touch-screen region may include a first internaltouch-screen region and a second internal touch-screen region, whereinthe first internal touch-screen region and the second internaltouch-screen region may be physically separated.

The device may be configured to display the icon corresponding to theapplication program executed on the external touch-screen region on thecurved-surface touch-screen region when the internal foldabletouch-screen region is unfolded to equal to or greater than a firstfolding angle, wherein the device may be configured to execute theapplication program on a part region or an entire region of the internalfoldable touch-screen region when the icon is moved to the internalfoldable touch-screen region.

The device may be configured to display the icon corresponding to theapplication program executed on the internal foldable touch-screenregion on the curved-surface touch-screen region when the internalfoldable touch-screen region is folded to equal to or smaller than asecond folding angle, wherein the device may be configured to executethe application program on a part region or an entire region of theexternal touch-screen region when the icon is moved to the externaltouch-screen region.

The icon may be moved from the curved-surface touch-screen region to theinternal foldable touch-screen region or the external touch-screenregion by a drag-and-drop operation or a click operation according to auser interface.

The first folding angle may be substantially the same as the secondfolding angle, or may be different from the second folding angle.

The internal foldable touch-screen region may be activated and theexternal touch-screen region may be deactivated when the internalfoldable touch-screen region is unfolded to equal to or greater than thefirst folding angle.

The internal foldable touch-screen region may be deactivated and theexternal touch-screen region may be activated when the internal foldabletouch-screen region is folded to equal to or smaller than the secondfolding angle.

According to some example embodiments, a method of operating a mobiledevice may include executing an application program on an externaltouch-screen region, displaying an icon corresponding to the applicationprogram on a curved-surface touch-screen region that couples theexternal touch-screen region and an internal foldable touch-screenregion when the internal foldable touch-screen region is unfolded toequal to or greater than a folding angle, and executing the applicationprogram on a part region or an entire region of the internal foldabletouch-screen region when the icon is moved to the internal foldabletouch-screen region.

The external touch-screen region, the internal foldable touch-screenregion, and the curved-surface touch-screen region may correspond torespective regions of a flexible touch-screen including a flexibledisplay device and a touch sensor device.

The internal foldable touch-screen region may be activated and theexternal touch-screen region may be deactivated when the internalfoldable touch-screen region is unfolded to equal to or greater than thefolding angle.

The icon may be moved from the curved-surface touch-screen region to theinternal foldable touch-screen region by a drag-and-drop operation or aclick operation according to a user interface.

According to some example embodiments, a method of operating a mobiledevice may include executing an application program on an internalfoldable touch-screen region, displaying an icon corresponding to theapplication program on a curved-surface touch-screen region that couplesan external touch-screen region and the internal foldable touch-screenregion when the internal foldable touch-screen region is folded to equalto or smaller than a folding angle, and executing the applicationprogram on a part region or an entire region of the externaltouch-screen region when the icon is moved to the external touch-screenregion.

The external touch-screen region, the internal foldable touch-screenregion, and the curved-surface touch-screen region may correspond torespective regions of a flexible touch-screen including a flexibledisplay device and a touch sensor device.

The internal foldable touch-screen region may be deactivated and theexternal touch-screen region may be activated when the internal foldabletouch-screen region is folded to equal to or smaller than the foldingangle.

The icon may be moved from the curved-surface touch-screen region to theexternal touch-screen region by a drag-and-drop operation or a clickoperation according to a user interface.

Therefore, a mobile device according to example embodiments may includea flexible touch-screen having an external touch-screen region, aninternal foldable touch-screen region, and a curved-surface touch-screenregion that couples the external touch-screen region and the internalfoldable touch-screen region. Thus, the mobile device may provide userswith a user interface that selectively executes an application programon the external touch-screen region or the internal foldabletouch-screen region by moving an icon corresponding to an executingapplication program to the curved-surface touch-screen region inresponse to a folding angle of the internal foldable touch-screen regionwhen a folding operation of the internal foldable touch-screen region isperformed (i.e., when the internal foldable touch-screen region isfolded or unfolded).

In addition, a method of operating a mobile device according to exampleembodiments, where the mobile device includes a flexible touch-screenhaving an external touch-screen region, an internal foldabletouch-screen region, and a curved-surface touch-screen region thatcouples the external touch-screen region and the internal foldabletouch-screen region, may provide users with a user interface thatselectively executes an application program on the external touch-screenregion or the internal foldable touch-screen region by moving an iconcorresponding to an executing application program to the curved-surfacetouch-screen region in response to a folding angle of the internalfoldable touch-screen region when a folding operation of the internalfoldable touch-screen region is performed (i.e., when the internalfoldable touch-screen region is folded or unfolded).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Illustrative, non-limiting example embodiments will be more clearlyunderstood from the following detailed description taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a planar view illustrating a mobile device according toexample embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a perspective side view illustrating the mobile device shownin FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating an example embodiment in which themobile device shown in FIG. 1 operates.

FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C are diagrams illustrating an example embodiment inwhich the mobile device shown in FIG. 1 operates.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating another example embodiment in whichthe mobile device shown in FIG. 1 operates.

FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C are diagrams illustrating another exampleembodiment in which the mobile device shown in FIG. 1 operates.

FIG. 7 is a planar view illustrating a mobile device according toexample embodiments.

FIG. 8 is a side perspective view illustrating the mobile device shownin FIG. 7 .

FIGS. 9A and 9B are diagrams illustrating an example embodiment in whichan application program is executed by a mobile device according toexample embodiments.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating another example embodimentin which an application program is executed by a mobile device accordingto example embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various example embodiments will be described more fully hereinafterwith reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some exampleembodiments are shown. The present inventive concept may, however, beembodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limitedto the example embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these exampleembodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be more thoroughand more complete, and will more fully convey the scope of the presentinventive concept to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, thesizes and relative sizes of layers and regions may be exaggerated forclarity. Like numerals refer to like elements throughout.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third,etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elementsshould not be limited by these terms. These terms are used todistinguish one element from another. Thus, a first element discussedbelow could be termed a second element without departing from theteachings of the present inventive concept. As used herein, the term“and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of theassociated listed items.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being“connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directlyconnected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may bepresent. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directlyconnected” or “directly coupled” to another element, there are nointervening elements present. Other words used to describe therelationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion(e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directlyadjacent,” etc.).

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularexample embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of thepresent inventive concept. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an”and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless thecontext clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood thatthe terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in thisspecification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps,operations, elements, components, and/or groups, but do not preclude thepresence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps,operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which embodiments of the presentinventive concept belongs. It will be further understood that terms,such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should beinterpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning inthe context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in anidealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

FIG. 1 is a planar view illustrating a mobile device according toexample embodiments. FIG. 2 is a perspective side view illustrating themobile device shown in FIG. 1 .

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 , the mobile device 100 may include atouch-screen unit (or a touch screen) 120 and a body unit (or a body)140 to which the touch-screen unit 120 is attached. Here, thetouch-screen unit 120 may correspond to a flexible touch-screen having aflexible display device and a touch sensor device. For example, themobile device 100 may be implemented as a cellular phone, a smart-phone,a smart-pad, etc. However, a type of the mobile device 100 is notlimited thereto.

The touch-screen unit 120 may include an external touch-screen region122, an internal foldable touch-screen region 126, and a curved-surfacetouch-screen region 124. Here, the curved-surface touch-screen region124 may be placed between the external touch-screen region 122 and theinternal foldable touch-screen region 126. In other words, thecurved-surface touch-screen region 124 may couple the externaltouch-screen region 122 and the internal foldable touch-screen region126. The body unit 140 may be manufactured with flexible materials, andthus may support a folding operation of the internal foldabletouch-screen region 126. Therefore, when the body unit 140 is folded orunfolded by users, the internal foldable touch-screen region 126 of thetouch-screen unit 120 may be folded or unfolded. Specifically, themobile device 100 may move at least one icon corresponding to at leastone executing application program to the curved-surface touch-screenregion 124 in response to a folding angle θ of the internal foldabletouch-screen region 126 when a folding operation of the internalfoldable touch-screen region 126 is performed (i.e., when the internalfoldable touch-screen region 126 is folded or unfolded). For example, aspecific application program may be executed on the externaltouch-screen region 122 when the body unit 140 is in a folded state.Here, as a user unfolds the body unit 140, the mobile device 100 maymove an icon corresponding to the specific application program from theexternal touch-screen region 122 to the curved-surface touch-screenregion 124 when a folding angle θ of the internal foldable touch-screenregion 126 becomes equal to or greater than a set folding angle (e.g., apredetermined folding angle). In addition, for example, a specificapplication program may be executed on the internal foldabletouch-screen region 126 when the body unit 140 is in an unfolded state.Here, as a user folds the body unit 140, the mobile device 100 may movean icon corresponding to the specific application program from theinternal foldable touch-screen region 126 to the curved-surfacetouch-screen region 124 when a folding angle θ of the internal foldabletouch-screen region 126 becomes equal to or smaller than a set foldingangle (e.g., a predetermined folding angle).

In one example embodiment, when the internal foldable touch-screenregion 126 is unfolded to equal to or greater than a first foldingangle, the mobile device 100 may display an icon corresponding to anapplication program that is executed on the external touch-screen region122 on the curved-surface touch-screen region 124. Subsequently, themobile device 100 may execute the application program on a part regionor an entire region of the internal foldable touch-screen region 126 ifthe icon corresponding to the application program is moved from thecurved-surface touch-screen region 124 to the internal foldabletouch-screen region 126 by a drag-and-drop operation or a clickoperation according to a user interface. In another example embodiment,when the internal foldable touch-screen region 126 is folded to equal toor smaller than a second folding angle, the mobile device 100 maydisplay an icon corresponding to an application program that is executedon the internal foldable touch-screen region 126 on the curved-surfacetouch-screen region 124. Subsequently, the mobile device 100 may executethe application program on a part region or an entire region of theexternal touch-screen region 122 if the icon corresponding to theapplication program is moved from the curved-surface touch-screen region124 to the external touch-screen region 122 by the drag-and-dropoperation or the click operation according to the user interface. In oneexample embodiment, the first folding angle may be substantially thesame as the second folding angle. In another example embodiment, thefirst folding angle may be different from the second folding angle.Additionally, the internal foldable touch-screen region 126 may have afirst internal touch-screen region (e.g., a left internal touch-screenregion) and a second internal touch-screen region (e.g., a rightinternal touch-screen region). Here, the first internal touch-screenregion and the second internal touch-screen region may be divided withrespect to a folding reference line on which the internal foldabletouch-screen region 126 is folded. In one example embodiment, the firstinternal touch-screen region and the second internal touch-screen regionmay be physically separated. In another example embodiment, asillustrated in FIG. 1 , the first internal touch-screen region and thesecond internal touch-screen region may be physically coupled.

In addition, when an application program is executed on a part region oran entire region of the internal foldable touch-screen region 126 as theinternal foldable touch-screen region 126 is unfolded to equal to orgreater than the first folding angle, the internal foldable touch-screenregion 126 may be activated, and the external touch-screen region 122may be deactivated. In this case, a touch sensor function and a displayfunction of the external touch-screen region 122 may be deactivated.Alternatively, a touch sensor function or a display function of theexternal touch-screen region 122 may be deactivated. Similarly, when anapplication program is executed on a part region or an entire region ofthe external touch-screen region 122 as the internal foldabletouch-screen region 126 is folded to equal to or smaller than the secondfolding angle, the internal foldable touch-screen region 126 may bedeactivated, and the external touch-screen region 122 may be activated.In this case, a touch sensor function and a display function of theinternal foldable touch-screen region 126 may be deactivated.Alternatively, a touch sensor function or a display function of theinternal foldable touch-screen region 126 may be deactivated. However,embodiments of the present inventive concept are not limited thereto.For example, when certain conditions are met, the external touch-screenregion 122 and the internal foldable touch-screen region 126 may beconcurrently activated. That is, a user may use both the externaltouch-screen region 122 and the internal foldable touch-screen region126 even when an application program is executed on a part region or anentire region of the internal foldable touch-screen region 126 as theinternal foldable touch-screen region 126 is unfolded to equal to orgreater than the first folding angle, or even when an applicationprogram is executed on a part region or an entire region of the externaltouch-screen region 122 as the internal foldable touch-screen region 126is folded to equal to or smaller than the second folding angle.

As described above, the touch-screen unit 120 may correspond to theflexible touch-screen having the flexible display device and the touchsensor device. For this reason, the body unit 140 may include a displaycontroller and a touch sensor controller. In addition, the body unit 140may include a processor, a communication device, a memory device, astorage device, function sensors, etc. The display controller maycontrol a display function of the touch-screen unit 120. The touchsensor controller may control a touch sensor function of thetouch-screen unit 120. The processor may perform various computingfunctions. The processor may be a micro-processor, a central processingunit (CPU), etc. The processor may be coupled to other components via anaddress bus, a control bus, a data bus, etc. In some exampleembodiments, the processor may be coupled to an extended bus such as aperipheral component interconnection (PCI) bus. The memory device maystore data for operations of the mobile device 100. For example, thememory device may include a volatile semiconductor memory device such asa dynamic random access memory (DRAM) device, a static random accessmemory (SRAM) device, a mobile DRAM device, etc., and/or a non-volatilesemiconductor memory device such as an erasable programmable read-onlymemory (EPROM) device, an electrically erasable programmable read-onlymemory (EEPROM) device, a flash memory device, a phase change randomaccess memory (PRAM) device, a resistance random access memory (RRAM)device, a nano floating gate memory (NFGM) device, a polymer randomaccess memory (PoRAM) device, a magnetic random access memory (MRAM)device, a ferroelectric random access memory (FRAM) device, etc. Thestorage device may include a solid state drive (SSD) device, a hard diskdrive (HDD) device, a CD-ROM device, etc. The function sensors maydetect various operations for the mobile device 100. For example, afolding function sensor of the function sensors may detect a foldingoperation of the mobile device 100.

In brief, the mobile device 100 may include the flexible touch-screenhaving the external touch-screen region 122, the internal foldabletouch-screen region 126, and the curved-surface touch-screen region 124that is placed between the external touch-screen region 122 and theinternal foldable touch-screen region 126. Here, the mobile device 100may provide users with a user interface that selectively executes anapplication program on the external touch-screen region 122 or theinternal foldable touch-screen region 126 by moving an iconcorresponding to an executing application program to the curved-surfacetouch-screen region 124 in response to a folding angle θ of the internalfoldable touch-screen region 126 when a folding operation of theinternal foldable touch-screen region 126 is performed (i.e., when theinternal foldable touch-screen region 126 is folded or unfolded). As aresult, a user may efficiently and conveniently user the mobile device100.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating an example embodiment in which themobile device shown in FIG. 1 operates. FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C arediagrams illustrating an example embodiment in which the mobile deviceshown in FIG. 1 operates.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 4A, 4B, and 4C, it is illustrated that the mobiledevice 100 is in a folded state, and then the mobile device 100 isunfolded. As illustrated in FIG. 4A, the mobile device 100 may executean application program on the external touch-screen region 122 (StepS110) when the mobile device 100 is in a folded state. Subsequently, themobile device 100 may sense whether the internal foldable touch-screenregion 126 is unfolded to equal to or greater than a set folding angle(e.g., a predetermined folding angle) (Step S120). In other words, themobile device 100 may sense whether a folding angle θ of the internalfoldable touch-screen region 126 becomes equal to or greater than theset folding angle (e.g., the predetermined folding angle) as theinternal foldable touch-screen region 126 is unfolded. Here, when theinternal foldable touch-screen region 126 is unfolded to smaller thanthe set folding angle (e.g., the predetermined folding angle), themobile device 100 may continuously execute the application program onthe external touch-screen region 122 (Step S110). On the other hand, asillustrated in FIG. 4B, when the internal foldable touch-screen region126 is unfolded to equal to or greater than the set folding angle (e.g.,the predetermined folding angle), the mobile device 100 may display anicon ICN corresponding to the application program on the curved-surfacetouch-screen region 124 (Step S130). Next, the mobile device 100 maysense whether the icon ICN corresponding to the application program ismoved to the internal foldable touch-screen region 126 (Step S140). Forexample, the icon ICN corresponding to the application program may bemoved from the curved-surface touch-screen region 124 to the internalfoldable touch-screen region 126 by a drag-and-drop operation or a clickoperation according to a user interface. Here, as illustrated in FIG.4C, when the icon ICN corresponding to the application program is movedto the internal foldable touch-screen region 126, the mobile device 100may execute the application program on the internal foldabletouch-screen region 126 (Step S150). As described above, when theapplication program is executed on a part region or an entire region ofthe internal foldable touch-screen region 126 as the internal foldabletouch-screen region 126 is unfolded to equal to or greater than the setfolding angle (e.g., the predetermined folding angle), the internalfoldable touch-screen region 126 may be activated, and the externaltouch-screen region 122 may be deactivated. However, the presentinventive concept is not limited thereto.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating another example embodiment in whichthe mobile device shown in FIG. 1 operates. FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C arediagrams illustrating another example embodiment in which the mobiledevice shown in FIG. 1 operates.

Referring to FIGS. 5, 6A, 6B, and 6C, it is illustrated that the mobiledevice 100 is in an unfolded state, and then the mobile device 100 isfolded. As illustrated in FIG. 6A, the mobile device 100 may execute anapplication program on the internal foldable touch-screen region 126(Step S210) when the mobile device 100 is in an unfolded state.Subsequently, the mobile device 100 may sense whether the internalfoldable touch-screen region 126 is folded to equal to or smaller than aset folding angle (e.g., a predetermined folding angle) (Step S220). Inother words, the mobile device 100 may sense whether a folding angle θof the internal foldable touch-screen region 126 becomes equal to orsmaller than the set of folding angle (e.g., the predetermined foldingangle) as the internal foldable touch-screen region 126 is folded. Here,when the internal foldable touch-screen region 126 is folded to greaterthan the set folding angle (e.g., the predetermined folding angle), themobile device 100 may continuously execute the application program onthe internal foldable touch-screen region 126 (Step S210). On the otherhand, as illustrated in FIG. 6B, when the internal foldable touch-screenregion 126 is folded to equal to or smaller than the set folding angle(e.g., the predetermined folding angle), the mobile device 100 maydisplay an icon ICN corresponding to the application program on thecurved-surface touch-screen region 124 (Step S230). Next, the mobiledevice 100 may sense whether the icon ICN corresponding to theapplication program is moved to the external touch-screen region 122(Step S240). For example, the icon ICN corresponding to the applicationprogram may be moved from the curved-surface touch-screen region 124 tothe external touch-screen region 122 by a drag-and-drop operation or aclick operation according to a user interface. Here, as illustrated inFIG. 6C, when the icon ICN corresponding to the application program ismoved to the external touch-screen region 122, the mobile device 100 mayexecute the application program on the external touch-screen region 122(Step S250). As described above, when the application program isexecuted on a part region or an entire region of the externaltouch-screen region 122 as the internal foldable touch-screen region 126is folded to equal to or smaller than the set folding angle (e.g., thepredetermined folding angle), the internal foldable touch-screen region126 may be deactivated, and the external touch-screen region 122 may beactivated. However, the present inventive concept is not limitedthereto.

FIG. 7 is a planar view illustrating a mobile device according toexample embodiments. FIG. 8 is a side view illustrating the mobiledevice shown in FIG. 7 .

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8 , the mobile device 200 may include atouch-screen unit (or touch screen) 220 and a body unit (or body) 240 towhich the touch-screen unit 220 is attached. Here, the touch-screen unit220 may correspond to a flexible touch-screen having a flexible displaydevice and a touch sensor device. For example, the mobile device 200 maybe implemented as a cellular phone, a smart-phone, a smart-pad, etc.However, a type of the mobile device 200 is not limited thereto.

The touch-screen unit 220 may include an external touch-screen region222, an internal foldable touch-screen region 226, and a curved-surfacetouch-screen region 224. Here, the curved-surface touch-screen region224 may be placed between the external touch-screen region 222 and theinternal foldable touch-screen region 226. In other words, thecurved-surface touch-screen region 224 may couple the externaltouch-screen region 222 and the internal foldable touch-screen region226. The body unit 240 may be manufactured with non-flexible materials,and thus may include a hinge 242 for supporting a folding operation ofthe internal foldable touch-screen region 226. Therefore, when the bodyunit 240 is folded or unfolded by users, the internal foldabletouch-screen region 226 of the touch-screen unit 220 may be folded orunfolded. Specifically, the mobile device 200 may move at least one iconcorresponding to at least one executing application program to thecurved-surface touch-screen region 224 in response to a folding angle θof the internal foldable touch-screen region 226 when a foldingoperation of the internal foldable touch-screen region 226 is performed(i.e., when the internal foldable touch-screen region 226 is folded orunfolded). For example, a specific application program may be executedon the external touch-screen region 222 when the body unit 240 is in afolded state. Here, as a user unfolds the body unit 240, the mobiledevice 200 may move an icon corresponding to the specific applicationprogram from the external touch-screen region 222 to the curved-surfacetouch-screen region 224 when a folding angle θ of the internal foldabletouch-screen region 226 becomes equal to or greater than a set foldingangle (e.g., a predetermined folding angle). In addition, for example, aspecific application program may be executed on the internal foldabletouch-screen region 226 when the body unit 240 is in an unfolded state.Here, as a user folds the body unit 240, the mobile device 200 may movean icon corresponding to the specific application program from theinternal foldable touch-screen region 226 to the curved-surfacetouch-screen region 224 when a folding angle θ of the internal foldabletouch-screen region 226 becomes equal to or smaller than a set foldingangle (e.g., a predetermined folding angle).

In one example embodiment, when the internal foldable touch-screenregion 226 is unfolded to equal to or greater than a first foldingangle, the mobile device 200 may display an icon corresponding to anapplication program that is executed on the external touch-screen region222 on the curved-surface touch-screen region 224. Subsequently, themobile device 200 may execute the application program on a part regionor an entire region of the internal foldable touch-screen region 226 ifthe icon corresponding to the application program is moved from thecurved-surface touch-screen region 224 to the internal foldabletouch-screen region 226 by a drag-and-drop operation or a clickoperation according to a user interface. In another example embodiment,when the internal foldable touch-screen region 226 is folded to equal toor smaller than a second folding angle, the mobile device 200 maydisplay an icon corresponding to an application program that is executedon the internal foldable touch-screen region 226 on the curved-surfacetouch-screen region 224. Subsequently, the mobile device 200 may executethe application program on a part region or an entire region of theexternal touch-screen region 222 if the icon corresponding to theapplication program is moved from the curved-surface touch-screen region224 to the external touch-screen region 222 by the drag-and-dropoperation or the click operation according to the user interface. In oneexample embodiment, the first folding angle may be substantially thesame as the second folding angle. In another example embodiment, thefirst folding angle may be different from the second folding angle.Additionally, the internal foldable touch-screen region 226 may have afirst internal touch-screen region (e.g., a left internal touch-screenregion) and a second internal touch-screen region (e.g., a rightinternal touch-screen region). Here, the first internal touch-screenregion and the second internal touch-screen region may be divided withrespect to a folding reference line on which the internal foldabletouch-screen region 226 is folded. In one example embodiment, the firstinternal touch-screen region and the second internal touch-screen regionmay be physically separated. In another example embodiment, asillustrated in FIG. 7 , the first internal touch-screen region and thesecond internal touch-screen region may be physically coupled.

In addition, when an application program is executed on a part region oran entire region of the internal foldable touch-screen region 226 as theinternal foldable touch-screen region 226 is unfolded to equal to orgreater than the first folding angle, the internal foldable touch-screenregion 226 may be activated, and the external touch-screen region 222may be deactivated. In this case, a touch sensor function and a displayfunction of the external touch-screen region 222 may be deactivated.Alternatively, a touch sensor function or a display function of theexternal touch-screen region 222 may be deactivated. Similarly, when anapplication program is executed on a part region or an entire region ofthe external touch-screen region 222 as the internal foldabletouch-screen region 226 is folded to equal to or smaller than the secondfolding angle, the internal foldable touch-screen region 226 may bedeactivated, and the external touch-screen region 222 may be activated.In this case, a touch sensor function and a display function of theinternal foldable touch-screen region 226 may be deactivated.Alternatively, a touch sensor function or a display function of theinternal foldable touch-screen region 226 may be deactivated. However,the present inventive concept is not limited thereto. For example, whencertain conditions are met, the external touch-screen region 222 and theinternal foldable touch-screen region 226 may be concurrently activated.That is, a user may use both the external touch-screen region 222 andthe internal foldable touch-screen region 226 even when an applicationprogram is executed on a part region or an entire region of the internalfoldable touch-screen region 226 as the internal foldable touch-screenregion 226 is unfolded to equal to or greater than the first foldingangle, or even when an application program is executed on a part regionor an entire region of the external touch-screen region 222 as theinternal foldable touch-screen region 226 is folded to equal to orsmaller than the second folding angle.

In brief, the mobile device 200 may include the flexible touch-screenhaving the external touch-screen region 222, the internal foldabletouch-screen region 226, and the curved-surface touch-screen region 224that is placed between the external touch-screen region 222 and theinternal foldable touch-screen region 226. Here, the mobile device 200may provide users with a user interface that selectively executes anapplication program on the external touch-screen region 222 or theinternal foldable touch-screen region 226 by moving an iconcorresponding to an executing application program to the curved-surfacetouch-screen region 224 in response to a folding angle 9 of the internalfoldable touch-screen region 226 when a folding operation of theinternal foldable touch-screen region 226 is performed (i.e., when theinternal foldable touch-screen region 226 is folded or unfolded). As aresult, a user may efficiently and conveniently user the mobile device200. Additionally, since the touch-screen unit 220 corresponds to theflexible touch-screen having the flexible display device and the touchsensor device, the body unit 240 may include a display controller thatcontrols a display function of the touch-screen unit 220 and a touchsensor controller that controls a touch sensor function of thetouch-screen unit 220. In addition, the body unit 240 may includefunction sensors to detect various operations for the mobile device 200.For example, a folding function sensor of the function sensors maydetect a folding operation of the mobile device 200.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are diagrams illustrating an example in which anapplication program is executed by a mobile device according to exampleembodiments.

Referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, it is illustrated that an iconcorresponding to an application program executed on an externaltouch-screen region 322 is displayed on a curved-surface touch-screenregion when an internal foldable touch-screen region 326 is unfolded toequal to or greater than a set folding angle (e.g., a predeterminedfolding angle), and then the application program is executed on theinternal foldable touch-screen region 326 when the icon corresponding tothe application program is moved from the curved-surface touch-screenregion to the internal foldable touch-screen region 326 by adrag-and-drop operation and/or a click operation according to a userinterface. In FIG. 9A, the application program may be executed on a partregion of the internal foldable touch-screen region 326. In FIG. 9B, theapplication program may be executed on an entire region of the internalfoldable touch-screen region 326. As described above, when theapplication program is executed on the internal foldable touch-screenregion 326, the external touch-screen region 322 may be deactivated. Onthe other hand, when the application program is executed on the externaltouch-screen region 322, the internal foldable touch-screen region 326may be deactivated.

In one example embodiment, the application program may be a phone-callapplication program. For example, caller identification information maybe displayed on the external touch-screen region 322 when a mobiledevice (e.g., a smart-phone) receives a phone-call, and then thephone-call may be answered by a user's touch-input (e.g., a swipeoperation, a double click operation, etc.). Here, when the user unfoldsthe mobile device to execute other application programs (e.g., internetweb browser), an icon corresponding to the phone-call applicationprogram may be displayed on the curved-surface touch-screen region.Subsequently, a video phone-call may be performed on the internalfoldable touch-screen region 326 when the icon corresponding to thephone-call application program is moved to the internal foldabletouch-screen region 326 by the user (e.g., by a drag-and-drop operation,etc.). In FIG. 9A, the phone-call application program may be executed ona first part region of the internal foldable touch-screen region 326,and other application programs (e.g., internet web browser) may beexecuted on a second part region of the internal foldable touch-screenregion 326. On the other hand, in FIG. 9B, the phone-call applicationprogram may be executed on an entire region of the internal foldabletouch-screen region 326.

In another example embodiment, the application program may be amessenger application program. For example, a message may be displayedon the external touch-screen region 322 when a mobile device (e.g., asmart-phone) receives the message, and then the messenger applicationprogram may begin by a user's touch-input (e.g., a swipe operation, adouble click operation, etc.). Here, when the user unfolds the mobiledevice to execute other application programs (e.g., internet webbrowser), an icon corresponding to the messenger application program maybe displayed on the curved-surface touch-screen region. Subsequently,the messenger application program may be performed on the internalfoldable touch-screen region 326 when the icon corresponding to themessenger application program is moved to the internal foldabletouch-screen region 326 by the user (e.g., by a drag-and-drop operation,etc.). In FIG. 9A, the messenger application program may be executed ona first part region of the internal foldable touch-screen region 326,and other application programs (e.g., internet web browser) may beexecuted on a second part region of the internal foldable touch-screenregion 326. On the other hand, in FIG. 9B, the messenger applicationprogram may be executed on an entire region of the internal foldabletouch-screen region 326.

As described above, a mobile device according to example embodiments mayinclude a flexible touch-screen having the external touch-screen region322, the internal foldable touch-screen region 326, and thecurved-surface touch-screen region that couples the externaltouch-screen region 322 and the internal foldable touch-screen region326. Thus, the mobile device may provide users with a user interfacethat executes an application program on the internal foldabletouch-screen region 326 by moving an icon corresponding to theapplication program that is executed on the external touch-screen region322 in a folded state of the internal foldable touch-screen region 326to the curved-surface touch-screen region in response to a folding angleof the internal foldable touch-screen region 326 when the internalfoldable touch-screen region 326 is unfolded. Although the phone-callapplication program and the messenger application program are describedwith reference to FIGS. 9A and 9B, a type of application program is notlimited thereto. That is, the application program may be any applicationprogram that is executed by the mobile device (e.g., smart-phone,smart-pad, etc.). For example, the application program may be aninternet application program (e.g., internet web browser), a calendarapplication program, a camera application program, a camcorderapplication program, etc.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating another example in which anapplication program is executed by a mobile device according to exampleembodiments.

Referring to FIGS. 10A and 10B, it is illustrated that an iconcorresponding to an application program executed on an internal foldabletouch-screen region 426 is displayed on a curved-surface touch-screenregion when the internal foldable touch-screen region 426 is folded toequal to or smaller than a set folding angle (e.g., a predeterminedfolding angle), and then the application program is executed on theexternal touch-screen region 422 when the icon corresponding to theapplication program is moved from the curved-surface touch-screen regionto the external touch-screen region 422 by a drag-and-drop operationand/or a click operation according to a user interface. In FIG. 10A, theapplication program may be executed on a part region of the internalfoldable touch-screen region 426. In FIG. 10B, the application programmay be executed on an entire region of the internal foldabletouch-screen region 426. As described above, when the applicationprogram is executed on the internal foldable touch-screen region 426,the external touch-screen region 422 may be deactivated. On the otherhand, when the application program is executed on the externaltouch-screen region 422, the internal foldable touch-screen region 426may be deactivated. Here, the application program may be any applicationprogram that is executed by a mobile device (e.g., smart-phone,smart-pad, etc.). For example, the application program may be aphone-call application program, a messenger application program, anInternet application program (e.g., internet web browser), a calendarapplication program, a camera application program, a camcorderapplication program, etc.

As described above, a mobile device according to example embodiments mayinclude a flexible touch-screen having the external touch-screen region422, the internal foldable touch-screen region 426, and thecurved-surface touch-screen region that couples the externaltouch-screen region 422 and the internal foldable touch-screen region426. Thus, the mobile device may provide users with a user interfacethat executes an application program on the external touch-screen region422 by moving an icon corresponding to the application program that isexecuted on the internal foldable touch-screen region 426 in a unfoldedstate of the internal foldable touch-screen region 426 to thecurved-surface touch-screen region in response to a folding angle of theinternal foldable touch-screen region 426 when the internal foldabletouch-screen region 426 is folded. Although a few example embodimentshave been described, those skilled in the art will readily appreciatethat many modifications are possible in the example embodiments withoutmaterially departing from the novel teachings and aspects of embodimentsof the present inventive concept. For example, the present inventiveconcept may be applied to a mobile device that includes a body unit anda touch-screen unit attached to the body unit, where the touch-screenunit has a first internal touch-screen region (e.g., a left internaltouch-screen region), a second internal touch-screen region (e.g., aright internal touch-screen region), a first external touch-screenregion (e.g., a left external touch-screen region), and a secondexternal touch-screen region (e.g., a right external touch-screenregion).

The present inventive concept may be applied to any electronic device(e.g., a mobile device) including a flexible touch-screen. For example,the present inventive concept may be applied to a cellular phone, asmart-phone, a smart-pad, a personal digital assistants (PDA), aportable multimedia player (PMP), an MP3 player, a television, acomputer monitor, a laptop, a digital camera, a camcorder, a gameconsole, etc.

The foregoing is illustrative of example embodiments and is not to beconstrued as limiting thereof. Although a few example embodiments havebeen described, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate thatmany modifications are possible in the example embodiments withoutmaterially departing from the novel teachings and aspects of embodimentsof the present inventive concept. Accordingly, all such modificationsare intended to be included within the scope of the present inventiveconcept as defined in the claims. Therefore, it is to be understood thatthe foregoing is illustrative of various example embodiments and is notto be construed as limited to the specific example embodimentsdisclosed, and that modifications to the disclosed example embodiments,as well as other example embodiments, are intended to be included withinthe scope of the appended claims, and equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mobile device comprising: a touch-screen havingan external touch-screen region, an internal foldable touch-screenregion, and a curved-surface touch-screen region that couples theexternal touch-screen region and the internal foldable touch-screenregion; and a body to which the touch-screen is attached, wherein thedevice is configured to move at least one icon corresponding to at leastone executing application program to the curved-surface touch-screenregion in response to a folding angle of the internal foldabletouch-screen region when a folding operation of the internal foldabletouch-screen region is performed.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein thetouch-screen is a flexible touch-screen comprising a flexible displaydevice and a touch sensor device.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein thebody comprises a flexible material, and wherein the body is configuredto support the folding operation of the internal foldable touch-screenregion.
 4. The device of claim 2, wherein the body comprises anon-flexible material, and wherein the body comprises a hinge configuredto support the folding operation of the internal foldable touch-screenregion.
 5. The device of claim 2, wherein the internal foldabletouch-screen region comprises a first internal touch-screen region and asecond internal touch-screen region, and wherein the first internaltouch-screen region and the second internal touch-screen region arephysically coupled.
 6. The device of claim 2, wherein the internalfoldable touch-screen region comprises a first internal touch-screenregion and a second internal touch-screen region, and wherein the firstinternal touch-screen region and the second internal touch-screen regionare physically separated.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the deviceis configured to display the at least one icon corresponding to theexecuting application program, when executed on the externaltouch-screen region, on the curved-surface touch-screen region when theinternal foldable touch-screen region is unfolded to equal to or greaterthan a first folding angle, and wherein the device is configured toexecute the executing application program on a part region or an entireregion of the internal foldable touch-screen region when the at leastone icon is moved to the internal foldable touch-screen region.
 8. Thedevice of claim 7, wherein the device is configured to display the atleast one icon corresponding to the executing application program, whenexecuted on the internal foldable touch-screen region, on thecurved-surface touch-screen region when the internal foldabletouch-screen region is folded to equal to or smaller than a secondfolding angle, and wherein the device is configured to execute theexecuting application program on a part region or an entire region ofthe external touch-screen region when the at least one icon is moved tothe external touch-screen region.
 9. The device of claim 8, wherein theat least one icon is moved from the curved-surface touch-screen regionto the internal foldable touch-screen region or the externaltouch-screen region by a drag-and-drop operation or a click operationaccording to a user interface.
 10. The device of claim 9, wherein thefirst folding angle is the same as the second folding angle, or isdifferent from the second folding angle.
 11. The device of claim 10,wherein the internal foldable touch-screen region is activated and theexternal touch-screen region is deactivated when the internal foldabletouch-screen region is unfolded to equal to or greater than the firstfolding angle.
 12. The device of claim 11, wherein the internal foldabletouch-screen region is deactivated and the external touch-screen regionis activated when the internal foldable touch-screen region is folded toequal to or smaller than the second folding angle.
 13. A method ofoperating a mobile device, the method comprising: executing anapplication program on an external touch-screen region; displaying anicon corresponding to the application program on a curved-surfacetouch-screen region that couples the external touch-screen region and aninternal foldable touch-screen region when the internal foldabletouch-screen region is unfolded to equal to or greater than a foldingangle; and executing the application program on a part region or anentire region of the internal foldable touch-screen region when the iconis moved to the internal foldable touch-screen region according to auser interface.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the externaltouch-screen region, the internal foldable touch-screen region, and thecurved-surface touch-screen region correspond to respective regions of aflexible touch-screen comprising a flexible display device and a touchsensor device.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the internal foldabletouch-screen region is activated and the external touch-screen region isdeactivated when the internal foldable touch-screen region is unfoldedto equal to or greater than the folding angle.
 16. The method of claim15, wherein the icon is moved from the curved-surface touch-screenregion to the internal foldable touch-screen region by a drag-and-dropoperation or a click operation according to the user interface.
 17. Amethod of operating a mobile device, the method comprising: executing anapplication program on an internal foldable touch-screen region;displaying an icon corresponding to the application program on acurved-surface touch-screen region that couples an external touch-screenregion and the internal foldable touch-screen region when the internalfoldable touch-screen region is folded to equal to or smaller than afolding angle; and executing the application program on a part region oran entire region of the external touch-screen region when the icon ismoved to the external touch-screen region according to a user interface.18. The method of claim 17, wherein the external touch-screen region,the internal foldable touch-screen region, and the curved-surfacetouch-screen region correspond to respective regions of a flexibletouch-screen comprising a flexible display device and a touch sensordevice.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the internal foldabletouch-screen region is deactivated and the external touch-screen regionis activated when the internal foldable touch-screen region is folded toequal to or smaller than the folding angle.
 20. The method of claim 19,wherein the icon is moved from the curved-surface touch-screen region tothe external touch-screen region by a drag-and-drop operation or a clickoperation according to the user interface.
 21. A flexible touch-screendevice comprising: a flexible touch-screen configured to display animage, and comprising: a first touch-screen region; and a secondtouch-screen region that is inwardly foldable such that respectiveregions of the flexible touch-screen face each other while the secondtouch-screen region is in a folded state; and a body to which the firsttouch-screen region and the second touch-screen region are attached,wherein the flexible touch-screen device is configured to display anexecuting application program on the first touch-screen region while thesecond touch-screen region is in the folded state, and to display theexecuting application program on a first part region or an entire regionof the second touch-screen region when a state of the secondtouch-screen region is changed from the folded state to an unfoldedstate, and wherein the first touch-screen region and the first partregion or a second part region of the second touch-screen region faceaway from each other both in the folded state and in the unfolded state.22. The device of claim 21, wherein the device is further configured todisplay the executing application program on the second touch-screenregion while the second touch-screen region is in the unfolded state andto display the executing application program on a part region or anentire region of the first touch-screen region when the state of thesecond touch-screen region is changed from the unfolded state to thefolded state.
 23. The device of claim 21, wherein the body comprises ahinge configured to support a folding operation of the secondtouch-screen region.
 24. The device of claim 21, wherein the secondtouch-screen region is activated and the first touch-screen region isdeactivated when the second touch-screen region is unfolded to equal toor greater than a first folding angle.
 25. The device of claim 21,wherein the second touch-screen region is deactivated and the firsttouch-screen region is activated when the second touch-screen region isfolded to equal to or smaller than a second folding angle.
 26. A methodof operating a flexible touch-screen device that comprises a flexibletouch-screen configured to display an image and comprising a firsttouch-screen region, and a second touch-screen region that is inwardlyfoldable such that respective regions of the flexible touch-screen faceeach other while the second touch-screen region is in a folded state,and that also comprises a body to which the first touch-screen regionand the second touch-screen region are attached, the method comprising:displaying an executing application program on the first touch-screenregion while the second touch-screen region is in the folded state suchthat the respective regions of the flexible touch-screen face eachother; detecting whether a state of the second touch-screen region ischanged from the folded state to an unfolded state; and displaying theexecuting application program on a first part region or an entire regionof the second touch-screen region when the state of the secondtouch-screen region is changed from the folded state to the unfoldedstate, wherein the first touch-screen region and the first part regionor a second part region of the second touch-screen region face away fromeach other both in the folded state and in the unfolded state.
 27. Themethod of claim 26, further comprising: displaying the executingapplication program on the second touch-screen region while the secondtouch-screen region is in the unfolded state; detecting whether thestate of the second touch-screen region is changed from the unfoldedstate to the folded state; and displaying the executing applicationprogram on a part region or an entire region of the first touch-screenregion when the state of the second touch-screen region is changed fromthe unfolded state to the folded state.
 28. The method of claim 26,wherein the body comprises a hinge configured to support a foldingoperation of the second touch-screen region.
 29. The method of claim 26,further comprising: activating the second touch-screen region when thesecond touch-screen region is unfolded to equal to or greater than afirst folding angle; and deactivating the first touch-screen region whenthe second touch-screen region is unfolded to equal to or greater thanthe first folding angle.
 30. The method of claim 26, further comprising:deactivating the second touch-screen region when the second touch-screenregion is folded to equal to or smaller than a second folding angle; andactivating the first touch-screen region when the second touch-screenregion is folded to equal to or smaller than the second folding angle.